Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum Health is seeking a dynamic, innovative and highly accomplished Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to provide visionary leadership across its multiple care delivery regions. This executive role is integral to the organization’s mission of delivering unparalleled clinical excellence, advancing the quality of patient care and upholding the highest standards in medical practice throughout a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. The CMO will function as a strategic dyad partner alongside operational leaders and clinical teams, working collaboratively to align clinical and operational strategies. In this capacity, the CMO will report directly to the Optum Health Chief Executive Officer and will be entrusted with shaping a patient-centric, high-performing care delivery environment that balances clinical outcomes, operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Hybrid in MN/DC: This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

Collaboration: Serve as a trusted and influential dyad partner with operational leaders, integrating clinical expertise and operational strategy to facilitate a culture of collaboration, innovation and accountability. Foster effective communication and interdisciplinary teamwork across care delivery sites, supporting the seamless delivery of services and the collective achievement of organizational objectives.

Leadership and Strategy: Provide strategic direction and expert guidance to a broad network of medical directors and healthcare providers spanning multiple regions. Ensure their efforts are consistently aligned with Optum Health’s vision, mission and strategic objectives. Lead the establishment and execution of initiatives that drive clinical transformation, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and ensure unwavering compliance with all applicable healthcare regulations, accreditation standards and industry best practices. Develop and monitor processes that proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks, ensuring that all care delivery practices adhere to the highest legal and ethical benchmarks.

Policy Development: Spearhead the creation, implementation and ongoing evaluation of clinical policies, protocols and evidence-based guidelines. Standardize care delivery and create consistency across regions. Advocate for and establish frameworks that promote clinical best practices and a continuous quality improvement mindset.

Quality Improvement: Champion quality improvement programs and lead performance measurement initiatives designed to optimize clinical practices and patient outcomes. Employ data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities for improvement, monitor key performance indicators and share best practices across the organization.

Talent Management: Recruit, mentor and nurture a diverse and high-caliber medical leadership team. Foster an environment that supports professional development, continuous learning and career advancement. Collaborate with senior executives to develop and implement robust succession planning strategies, ensuring leadership continuity and organizational resilience.

Culture: Model and actively uphold the organization’s core values, setting high standards and clear expectations for professional behavior and performance among all clinicians. Champion a supportive, inclusive and ethical workplace culture, serving as an exemplary role model and ambassador of Optum Health’s mission and values within the organization and across the broader healthcare community.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain productive relationships with a broad array of stakeholders including patients, families, healthcare providers, system partners, payers, government agencies and community organizations. Serve as the principal clinical liaison, representing Optum Health in key forums and nurturing partnerships that advance the organization’s strategic goals and enhance its reputation.

Financial Management: Partner closely with financial leaders to construct, manage and oversee operating budgets. Monitor financial performance, implement cost-control measures and evaluate the economic implications of clinical initiatives to ensure the delivery of high-value, cost-effective care across all regions.

Capabilities

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrates visionary thinking and the ability to develop and execute clinical strategies that align with organizational goals and drive transformation across multiple care delivery regions.

Clinical Expertise: Possess deep knowledge of medical best practices, regulatory standards and quality improvement methodologies to ensure the highest levels of patient care and safety.

Operational Acumen: Effectively integrates clinical operations with business objectives, driving performance improvement, resource optimization and financial sustainability.

Collaborative Partnership: Excels in building and nurturing interdisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of trust, innovation and accountability across diverse stakeholders.

Change Management: Leads organizational change initiatives with agility and resilience, adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape and regulatory environment.

Talent Development: Skilled in recruiting, mentoring and retaining top-tier medical leaders, supporting ongoing professional growth and succession planning.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizes analytics and key performance indicators to inform policy, monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

MBOs

Enhance Clinical Quality: Implement and track initiatives that measurably improve patient outcomes, patient safety and overall quality of care across all regions.

Optimize Operational Efficiency: Achieve targeted improvements in care delivery processes, reducing variability, and ensuring consistent application of evidence-based protocols.

Strengthen Regulatory Compliance: Maintain 100% compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations and accreditation standards, proactively addressing potential risks.

Advance Talent Management: Develop and execute robust recruitment, retention and succession planning strategies to ensure a pipeline of capable clinical leaders.

Drive Innovation: Launch and scale innovative care models and quality improvement programs that set new benchmarks for clinical and operational excellence.

Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Build and sustain high-performing teams that communicate effectively and work collaboratively to accomplish shared objectives.

Promote Financial Sustainability: Balance clinical outcomes with cost management strategies, contributing to the overall financial health of the organization.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution and board certification in a relevant medical specialty.

Experience: A minimum of 20 years of post-residency clinical experience, including at least 10 years in a senior clinical leadership capacity overseeing multiple care delivery regions or large, complex healthcare systems. Demonstrated success in advancing clinical excellence, operational integration and population health management at scale.

Leadership Skills: Exceptional ability to lead, inspire and mobilize multidisciplinary medical teams. Track record of implementing strategic initiatives, driving large-scale change management efforts and achieving measurable improvements in clinical and operational performance.

Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough understanding of federal, state and local healthcare regulations, accreditation requirements and industry best practices. Demonstrated expertise in developing and maintaining compliance programs that safeguard the organization and support its mission.

Communication: Superior interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey complex clinical and operational concepts to diverse audiences. Adept at building consensus, managing stakeholder expectations, working in a matrixed environment and navigating challenging conversations with diplomacy and professionalism.

Analytical Skills: Advanced analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Highly skilled in leveraging data analytics, performance metrics and evidence-based methodologies to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.

Innovation: Demonstrated capacity to foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and transformative change. Proven ability to identify emerging trends and implement solutions that enhance care delivery and patient experience.

Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of healthcare finance, value-based care models and resource management. Experience in developing and monitoring budgets and ensuring fiscal responsibility in a clinical setting.

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes – an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.